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Tuesday, March 23

I just stumbled upon the world's most FABULOUS fabric website! Brought to you by elementary school sweathearts, Hawthorne Threads not only has adorable fabrics, it's a smart site. Fabric coordination in one shot!

Saturday, March 20

This method can be used on a onesie, tshirt, sweatshirt, towels...let your imagination run wild!

1. Select a fabric for the applique. For simple shapes, use a large, busier pattern. For a detailed shaped, choose a smaller print.
2. Wash and dry the fabric and onesie to reduce shrinking.
3. Download, draw or trace any silhouette onto card stock. The silhouette should be approximately 4-6 inches wide, depending upon the size of your onesie or shirt.
4. Cut out the silhouette.
5. Cut a piece of fabric 2 inches larger than the silhouette.
6. Cut a piece of webbing one inch larger than the silhouette.

7. Using an iron on the wool setting, iron the webbing onto the back of the fabric; the rough side of the webbing should be facing the wrong side of the fabric. Allow the paper-backed fabric to cool. (Depending upon the webbing selected, you may not need a damp cloth over the fabric or have to find the rough side, etc. Just use a light, double sided fusible webbing for cotton to cotton, typically cheaper by the yard. Directions come on the package or outer paper.)

8. Trace the silhouette onto the webbing paper backing. The silhouette should be upside down if the direction matter, for instance, letters, numbers, etc.

9. Cut out the silhouette from the paper-backed fabric.
10. Seal the edges of the cut fabric with fray check to prevent unraveling.

11. Peel the paper backing from the applique, exposing the other side of the webbing.

12. Position the applique, fabric side up, onto the onesie. If you intend to wear pants or a skirt with the onesie, make sure the cut out sits high enough so it avoids the waistband.

13. Lay a damp cloth over the applique and iron with steam for 10 seconds or according to the directions on the webbing.

14. Now your fabric should be fused to the onesie. Choose a complimenting thread and zigzag stitch on the sewing machine, leaving the needle down so it's easier to navigate the corners. I leave about 1/8 inch seam around the edge.

15. At the beginning and end of the stitching, do a couple reverse stitches to lock in the thread. I knot the two strings on the inside of the shirt and just cut the front, but you can thread these back through and knot too, if you have the patience.

Three years ago, Honey compiled her favorite recipes in beautiful, handcrafted books and gifted them to her grandchildren for Christmas. It's one of my go-to cookbooks and I've been adding my personal Honey favorites to the empty pages.

I love the freckles on brown eggs...

Yes, you spy bacon! Whip up the egg:

This morning, I added a little mashed banana to the mix:

Honey always mixes her dry ingredients on a piece of wax paper with a fork, eliminating a bite with too much baking powder.

Add the dry mix to the egg, then the buttermilk and oil:

Blend with a whisk, but fight the urge to over stir! This leads to tough pancakes. Let it rest for a few minutes while your pan warms.

I used a cast iron griddle, but any pan will do. Heat to medium-low, throw in a little butter to coat the pan, and drop in the batter. The pancakes need about three minutes on each side, but it's time to flip when bubbles form around the edges.

Our first adventure of the new year took us to Denver, Colorado to celebrate Kelly’s 30th birthday. The surprise was a complete success:

(photo by the talented Justin Gagnon)

How her amazing boyfriend managed to keep it a secret while coordinating nine folks from D.C., San Francisco, Chicago, Minneapolis and Milwaukee, I'll never know! Our Vail weekend was packed with many good runs, après ski beers, shared meals, dance parties and a trip to the gold mine. Here’s to spending time with old friends in gorgeous places!

about the blog

An abundance of google docs sent to my craft-loving sister was the inspiration for the blog. I'll share ideas, recipes and tutorials that represent my crafty, country girl conflicted lifestyle in the windy city. Awakening my creative side, one adventure at a time!